Who is Emma, the Cruise Expert?

Hi and welcome.

I'm Emma, founder and CEO of Hotels Afloat.
Having begun my career as a teacher in England, I moved into tourism after relocating to the heart of Burgundy in France. Using the organizational and delegation skills learned as a teacher, I created Hotels Afloat to provide a personalized service, by which each client becomes a guest.
With over 25 years in the industry, I still love my job and find great satisfaction in our 'Carefully created cruises, just for you'.

As the resident Cruise Expert, I'm very much hands-on each day, dealing with requests from our guests around the world.
To ensure that we can offer you the very best range of cruise holidays, I also spend time visiting the boats and barges, and their owners, on a regular basis, while the Hotels Afloat crew deal with guests.

Why cruise with us

We provide expert and detailed advice, we spare no effort in making and managing your booking to ensure the success of your boating holiday cruise. With 98% of our clients saying they would book with us again, and many returning each year, you can be confident that you're in safe and expert hands.

Hotels Afloat looks forward to welcoming you aboard!

Need more reasons?

A dedicated cruise expert will look after you from your first inquiry, through choosing a cruise, the easy booking process and then to wishing you a Bon Voyage
Our 24-hour or less response time!
No credit card fees
Secure online booking system
Secure payment system

Our clients are our best ambassadors of course!

Best agent ever worked with!

It is so great to have answers to our questions almost within the day, it seems (given our different time zones). Without a doubt, you would be the best agent I have ever worked with, and not just for speedy responses. (If you need a review at any time, I’d be glad to provide it.)
Di Averis, Australia

Friendly and professional

Emma and the company are friendly, personal and professional. Can’t recommend them highly enough. Emma was brilliant when sadly, we had to cut our holiday short. We’ll be back!
Anne S, Midi 2023

Friendly service; Peter, June 2023

Emma was friendly, informative & quick to respond to enquiries & questions.
Thanks for a great week cruising on the Saone.
Peter

Personal recommendations from our cruise expert make for the perfect trip

Hi Emma, I hope you are well! So that was an AMAZING trip! Thank you for all of your help. You were spot on with the area suggestions, the boat, etc. I would love to do another one. Eva

Apparently we are the best!

Hello Emma,

We have been home almost a week now and today is my day to sit down and write to everyone that we want to thank for our FABULOUS.

trip. You are at the top of the list. Emma, you were so terrific to work with. So helpful with all of our planning. Picking The Aurora was the best choice. The ship was so comfortable and beautiful but Steve and Karina made it so incredibly special. Our Family fell in Love with them. We didn’t want to leave. We are still high on going over pictures and memories about our trip. There really aren’t enough words to describe how happy we all were with our time with Karina and Steve on the Aurora!!

Thank you Emma for your part in helping us set up such a wonderful, fulfilled experience. I only wish I could thank you in person.

Sincerely,

Terry L

Aurora barge cruise in Holland, April 2023

Special events!

Great trip, best boat and an unforgettable experience, thanks for guiding the booking process to make it so easy!
Thanks so much for helping us organise and book an unforgettable way to spend our 25th wedding anniversary!

Bruce & Fiona, USA, April 2023

A recommendation

We are happy to recommend Hotels Afloat to our friends, we thank you for all the organisation towards our cruise.

Cheers Melissa Ramage

Cruised on the hotel barge Impressionniste, 2022

The best!

Dear Emma,
Thanks so much for your very informative response.
It certainly puts your company head and shoulders above all others.
I’ll get back to you as soon as possible.

Rgds
Graeme

3 cruises with you!

We had three great boat charters, so I guess you are the best!

Stephanie J

The one to use!

This is the agency to use for your Canal boat hire! Emma Aldridge is professional and super knowledgeable and also lovely and kind! This is my second cruise through Emma, and it is brilliant! It's a fabulous holiday and we are travelling with another couple!

Put this on your bucket list and contact Emma at Hotels Afloat!
Lisa B-H, Australia